Gran Hotel De Passage (Bruges, Belgium)

Warm, friendly welcomes will come from staff upon arrival and the owner will make sure you know where everything is and have whatever you need.  Plenty of humour and tips on directions.

Cosy beds and adequate facilities but do note:  this is a NO FRILLS establishment.  Most rooms have their own private sinks and share a toilet/shower area down the hall.

Excellent locale, central and optimally situated for catching a nearby canal tour, most city centre attractions and the Christmas Markets.  Convenient as a base from which to explore all of Bruges.  Cheap parking is within about a twenty-minute walk from the hostel and plenty of restaurants are close at hand if the on-site spot is closed.

Sometimes no one is at the reception desk when you arrive and you must call a mobile phone. Once you get through, a lengthy and confusing explanation of how to enter your room will commence.  This process could be made a bit more efficient.  

The rooms can be quite noisy at times from music in the restaurant and late night drinkers returning. Rooms lack adequate furnishings for some - providing only the beds and a chair, with no dressers or wardrobe.

Either wandering the corridors or standing in the common areas or restaurant may get you a signal - otherwise, don't hope too hard! Ask for lower level rooms if you have mobility issues or massive amounts of luggage – there's no lift on the premises.